Comparisons between three disciplines regarding device usage in a lecture theatre, academic performance and learning

The aim of this investigation was to explore student behaviour when students brought their own digital devices into a lecture theatre. A total of 361 undergraduate psychology students from the University of Liverpool who used at least one digital device during lecture time fully completed an online questionnaire (159 first-, 124 second- and 78 third-year psychology students) during the 2018–2019 academic year. Although all the three years of undergraduate students brought laptops and/or smartphones into a lecture theatre, there was no significant difference in academic performance over the years of studies. The findings have linked student multitasking processes in a lecture theatre to Social Cognitive Theory principles (reciprocal interactions between behaviours, learning environment, and individuals). There was a significant difference between the three years regarding the use of applications and student characteristics after controlling for the different types of devices. Students who used only one application during lecture time were more likely to achieve higher academic performance as they were less distracted from their primary tasks of processing and retaining information. Overall, this investigation concluded the importance of reconsidering the teaching delivery process so as to avoid students’ escapism using devices during lecture theatres due to their engagement level and lecture norm pressures.

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Role of an Academic Performance Committee

Journal of Dental Education ◽

10.1002/j.0022-0337.1969.33.1.tb00135.x ◽

1969 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 101-104

Author(s):

JC Hickey ◽

MT Romano ◽

RK Jarecky

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance

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Can the Academic Self-Concept be Positive and Realistic?

Zeitschrift für Pädagogische Psychologie ◽

10.1024/1010-0652.19.3.132 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 19 (3) ◽

pp. 129-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Reimer Kornmann

Keyword(s):

Academic Performance ◽

Opposite Effect ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Point Of View ◽

The Other ◽

Self Concept ◽

High Ability ◽

Self Image ◽

Other Hand

Summary: My comment is basically restricted to the situation in which less-able students find themselves and refers only to literature in German. From this point of view I am basically able to confirm Marsh's results. It must, however, be said that with less-able pupils the opposite effect can be found: Levels of self-esteem in these pupils are raised, at least temporarily, by separate instruction, academic performance however drops; combined instruction, on the other hand, leads to improved academic performance, while levels of self-esteem drop. Apparently, the positive self-image of less-able pupils who receive separate instruction does not bring about the potential enhancement of academic performance one might expect from high-ability pupils receiving separate instruction. To resolve the dilemma, it is proposed that individual progress in learning be accentuated, and that comparisons with others be dispensed with. This fosters a self-image that can in equal measure be realistic and optimistic.

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